3D imaging of colorectal cancer organoids identifies responses to Tankyrase inhibitors

We generated 3D tumour organoids from colorectal cancer patients and tested their responses to inhibitors of Tankyrase (TNKSi) which are known to modulate Wnt signalling. Complex 3D models provide a challenging platform for the quantitative analysis of drug responses of therapies that have differential effects on tumour cell subpopulations. We demonstrated that morphometric analyses can capture subtle alterations in organoid responses to Wnt inhibitors that are consistent with activity against a cancer stem cell subpopulation, highlighting the value of phenotypic readouts as a quantitative method to assess drug-induced effects in a relevant preclinical model.